Summer free agent XI - Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger among those still up for grabs
- Graeme Bailey
- 8 February 2022
Graeme Bailey picks a pretty impressive starting XI of players out of contract in the summer and still to announce where they will be playing in 2022/23.
January has been and gone and the vast majority of the summer's big free agents have still to announce their next moves.
Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has agreed a switch to Inter Milan, while Iranian superstar Sardar Azmoun sealed an early deal with Bayer Leverkusen and Niklas Sule finalised a pre-contract agreement with Borussia Dortmund.
However, as it stands, you could still make an incredibly strong starting XI from the players who have yet to make their intentions clear.
Goalkeeper - Sam Johnstone
Onana may be off the market, but you can still land an England international in the shape of Sam Johnstone.
The West Bromwich Albion No. 1 fell out with the recently sacked Valerien Ismael - but he will still be hoping he can help them to promotion.
It seems unlikely at this stage, though, that he prolongs his stay at The Hawthorns whatever division they are in next season.
Right-back - Noussair Mazraoui
The Ajax full-back has come through the famed academy and has a lot of suitors and there is a very good chance we will see the 24-year-old in the Premier League after the summer.
Has already been linked strongly with Tottenham, Arsenal and Leeds.
Central defender - Antonio Rudiger
Arguably the most in-demand of all the Bosman frees this summer - just about every major club in Europe is looking to submit an offer to the Chelsea star.
If he wants to stay in England then he has his pick of Chelsea's top-four rivals, all of whom are ready to take him, while Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are all in the mix.
Rudiger revealing his next club will be one of the biggest announcements of the summer.
Central defender - Andreas Christensen
Could be one of three big names to leave Chelsea's defence for free. The Blues still hope to keep hold of Christensen, but with Barcelona sniffing around, they have every reason to be worried at Stamford Bridge.
The Dane, at just 25, offers huge value to any club wanting him and many did not think Chelsea would let it get to this point. However, there is now a real chance he moves for nothing.
Left-back - Ivan Perisic
The brilliant Croatian may be 33, but he looks to be gaining momentum as a left wing-back for Inter Milan.
Despite his age, there are understood to be a host of clubs ready to offer him a big free agent contract.
Central midfield - Franck Kessie
The Ivorian superstar has refused AC Milan's offers of a new deal and looks set to leave this summer.
Strongly linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Antonio Conte, it appears Juventus are lining up a big move for him.
Central midfield - Paul Pogba
Manchester United star Paul Pogba is taking his time to decide his future but we know he will be playing in one of four locations come next season.
He will either be staying in Manchester, moving back to Turin with his former club Juventus, relocating to hometown Paris with PSG or joining Spanish giants Real Madrid - not a bad few options to have.
Central midfield - Marcelo Brozovic
Another Croatian superstar in the XI and another Inter star who could be on his way.
The Italian champions still hope to keep Brozovic and are in talks over a new deal, but clubs are circling, including Barcelona.
Forward - Ousmane Dembele
Has become almost infamous in his battle with Barcelona. Has turned down their offer of a new deal, but also refused to be sold.
Despite his arguments with Barca, Dembele is not likely to have any problem finding a new employer, with Chelsea and PSG heading the queue.
Forward - Paulo Dybala
The Juventus star has turned down a new contract with the club and talks have not gone well.
Dybala is one of the finest forwards in Europe and there is now a realistic chance that he moves. If he does then not many could afford him, but the Premier League could be his landing spot.
Forward - Kylian Mbappe
The biggest of them all. One of the world's best and heir apparent to Ronaldo and Messi, landing Mbappe on a free transfer will be one of the biggest transfer coups in the history of the game.
His destination has yet to be revealed...but we all know he is heading to Real Madrid!
